Paint brush storage device

ABSTRACT

A paint brush storage device includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion configured for positioning and restraining a bristle portion of a paint brush within. The bottom portion includes a plurality of perforations for ventilating the paint brush, a pair of oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed first and second end walls, and a back wall. The back wall includes a first pair of projections and a second pair of projections extending from an interior surface of the back wall and configured for positioning the paint brush. The positioning of the paint brush by the first pair of projections and the second pair of projections forms a space between an exposed surface of the bristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, to protect and ventilate the bristle portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/556,929, entitled “Paint Brush Protector,” filed Nov. 8, 2011, whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a paint brush storage device, andmore particularly to a paint brush device for storing paint brushesafter use, and having a plurality of internal projections to positionthe brush inside of the device for protection and ventilation of thebristles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of devices for storing and drying paint brushes have beenused in the industry. Most existing paint brush storage devices includesome type of a perforated shell or housing enclosure in which thebristle portion and ferrule portion of a wet paint brush may be insertedto dry. The ventilated enclosure protects the wet brush fromenvironmental contaminants such as dirt or dust while it dries. Whilethe shell allows the bristles to air dry, there are usually noprovisions in known devices to prevent the bristles from contacting theinternal sidewalls of the shell.

Known devices may provide protrusions or restraining bands or clips onthe housing that restrict the brush from moving to contact one or bothof the planar back walls, but the brush remains free to move laterallyor rotate to the side such that the bristles may contact the side or endwalls. Another example device includes spikes extending from the backwall of the housing that penetrate the bristles of the stored brush. Asthe bristles are flexible, the brush again remains free to shiftlaterally, or rotate to the side. Other known devices includeprotrusions on the sidewalls, but do not include protrusions to directlyrestrain the narrow portion of the handle of the brush, so the brushremains free to shift, or rotate to the side such that the bristles maycontact the side or end walls. Often the bristles end up pushed togetherinside the shell, leaving them deformed and pressed together in a shapethat may be unsuitable for further usage. Further known storage devicesare configured only for protection. These devices conform closelyagainst the outline of the brush to tightly retain it against movement,but do not leave sufficient space between the bristles and the shell toprovide quick, efficient drying. There is still a need for a paint brushstorage device that both maintains the brush bristles in their propershape and orientation, and provides ample surrounding air spacepermitting the bristles to dry quickly.

What is needed is a paint brush storage device having projections spacedin from the sidewalls, projecting from a bottom interior surface of theback wall of the housing, restraining both the wide portion of the brushand the narrow portion at the handle to prevent the bristles fromdeforming due to irregular positioning of the brush and the housing. Adevice which secures the paint brush in this way allows the flexiblebristles of the brush to maintain its original shape, and provides anair space surrounding the bristles for proper ventilation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment is a paint brush storage device for a paint brush. Thepaint brush storage device includes a housing having a top portion and abottom portion. The top portion includes an interface surface that isdetachably secured to a complementary interface surface of the secondbody portion. At least one of the top portion and the bottom portionincludes a plurality of perforations for ventilating the paint brush.The housing is configured for positioning and restraining a bristleportion of a paint brush within the housing. The bottom portion includesa pair of oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, a pair ofoppositely disposed first and second end walls, and a back wall. Thesecond end wall is configured with an aperture to allow a handle portionof the paint brush to extend from the housing. The back wall includes afirst pair of projections extending from an interior surface of the backwall and configured for positioning the paint brush. The first pair ofprojections is arranged substantially parallel to and spaced apart fromthe first and second sidewalls. The positioning of the paint brush bythe first pair of projections forms a space between an exposed surfaceof the bristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, toprotect and ventilate the bristle portion.

In another embodiment there is a paint brush storage device for a paintbrush. The paint brush storage device includes a housing having a topportion and a bottom portion and a fastener device for detachablysecuring the top portion to the bottom portion. At least one of the topportion and the bottom portion includes a plurality of perforations forventilating the paint brush. The housing is configured for positioningand restraining a bristle portion of a paint brush within the housing.The bottom portion includes a pair of oppositely disposed first andsecond sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed first and second endwalls, and a back wall. The second end wall is configured with anaperture to allow a handle portion of the paint brush to extend from thehousing. The back wall includes at least one restraining bar extendingfrom an interior surface of the back wall and configured for positioningand restraining the paint brush. The at least one restraining bar isarranged substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls.The positioning of the handle portion through the aperture andpositioning the at least one restraining bar against the paint brushprevents lateral movement of the paint brush and forms a space betweenan exposed surface of the bristle portion, the first sidewall, and thesecond sidewall, to protect and ventilate the bristle portion.

In another embodiment there is a paint brush storage device for a paintbrush. The paint brush storage device includes a housing having a topportion and a bottom portion configured for connection by a hinge and atleast one fastener device. The top portion and the bottom portioninclude a plurality of perforations for ventilating the paint brush. Thehousing is configured for positioning and restraining a bristle portionof a paint brush within the housing. The bottom portion includes a pairof oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, a pair of oppositelydisposed first and second end walls, and a back wall. The second endwall is configured with an aperture to allow a handle portion of thepaint brush to extend from the housing. The back wall includes a firstpair of projections and a second pair of projections extending from aninterior surface of the back wall and configured for positioning thepaint brush. The first pair of projections is arranged substantiallyparallel to and spaced apart from the first and second sidewalls, andthe second pair of projections is disposed adjacent to the aperture inthe second end wall. The positioning of the paint brush by the firstpair of projections and the second pair of projections prevents lateralmovement of the paint brush and forms a space between an exposed surfaceof the bristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, toprotect and ventilate the bristle portion.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following more detailed description of the preferredembodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary paint brush storage deviceshown with the top portion open.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paint brush storage device of FIG. 1shown with the top portion closed.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the paint brush storage deviceof FIG. 2 showing the fastener device secured.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bottom portion of another embodiment ofan exemplary paint brush storage device with retaining bar.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to represent the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a paint brush storage device 10 is shown. Thepaint brush storage device 10 includes a molded plastic housing 12configured for positioning and restraining a bristle portion 1 of apaint brush 2 within the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a topportion 14 and bottom portion 16. At least one of the top portion 14 andbottom portion 16 include a plurality of perforations 22 for ventilatingthe paint brush 2. The bottom portion 16 includes a pair of oppositelydisposed first and second sidewalls, 30 and 32, respectively, a pair ofoppositely disposed first and second end walls, 34 and 36, respectively,and a back wall 28 defining a generally rectangular hollow receptacleinterior of bottom portion 16. The second end wall 36 is configured withan aperture 38 to allow a handle portion 3 of the paint brush 2 toextend through and protrude from the housing 12.

In one embodiment, the back wall 28 includes a first pair of projections46 and a second pair of projections 48 extending from an interiorsurface of the back wall 28 and configured for positioning the paintbrush 2. The first pair of projections 46 are arranged substantiallyparallel to and spaced apart from the first and second sidewalls 30 and32. The first and second sidewalls 30 and 32 are arranged substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal axis of housing 12 and the handle portion3 of paint brush 2 when inserted in housing 12. The first pair ofprojections 46 are spaced apart from first and second sidewalls 30 and32 (see FIG. 1) to create a center space within housing 12 in which toreceive paint brush 2 between projections 46. The first pair ofprojections 46 are configured for positioning a ferrule portion 5 of thepaint brush 2. The ferrule portion 5 acts to bind and connect thebristles to the handle, and is a generally solid and rectangular portionbetween the bristle portion 1 and a transition portion 4 of the paintbrush 2. Projections 46 and 48 are arranged substantially perpendicularto the back wall 28, and have a height of from about 0.25 inch to about0.75 inch, from about 0.375 inch to about 0.5 inch, or from about 0.5inch to about 0.625 inch. The first pair of projections 46 areconfigured for securing paint brush 2 within housing 12 to preventlateral movement, so that bristle portion 1 does not contact first andsecond sidewalls 30 and 32, thereby avoiding deformation of the bristlesdue to resting against the first and second sidewalls 30 and 32. In oneembodiment, the position of the first pair of projections 46 on the backwall relative to the first and second sidewalls 30 and 32 is adjustableto accommodate different widths of paint brushes 2.

The second pair of projections 48 are disposed adjacent to the aperture38 in the second end wall 36. The second pair of projections 48 areconfigured for positioning the transition portion 4 of the paint brush2. The second pair of projections 48 provide a resting surface for thetransition portion 4 of paint brush 2, wherein a wide bristle portion 1and the ferrule portion 5 taper down to the width of the handle portion3. The second pair of projections 48 are configured for restrictingmovement of transition portion 4 and handle portion 3 of the paint brush2 and provide a guide to position handle portion 3 adjacent to aperture38. Projections 48 are located above aperture 38 on opposite sidesthereof, and are preferably inclined towards aperture 38 relative to thecenter longitudinal axis of the back wall 28. The separation distance ofprojections 48 should be approximately the width of a conventional paintbrush handle. In an alternative embodiment, the first pair ofprojections 46 and the second pair of projections 48 form a pair ofsubstantially continuous projections on opposite sides of the paintbrush 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the positioning of the paint brush 2 provided by thefirst pair of projections 46 and the second pair of projections 48 formsa space 40 between an exposed surface of the bristle portion 1, thefirst sidewall 30, and the second sidewall 32. The space 40 preventssubstantial contact between the bristle portion 1 of the paint brush 2,the first sidewall 30, and the second sidewall 32. In one embodiment,the space 40 includes a top region 42 created by the space between thefirst end wall 34 and the tips of the bristle portion 1, and sideregions 44 created by the space between the first and the secondsidewalls 30, 32, and opposite sides of the bristle portion 1. The firstpair of projections 46 and the second pair of projections 48 maintainthe position of the bristle portion 1 away from the sidewalls 30 and 32and adjacent first end wall 34. Preventing substantial contact betweenthe bristle portion 1 and the housing 12 protects and ventilates thebristle portion 1. The space 40 isolates the bristle portion 1 fromcompression and deformation by the housing 12, and creates an airpassage surrounding the bristle portion 1 to promote air drying of thebristles.

The top portion 14 includes a pair of oppositely disposed first andsecond sidewalls, 50 and 52, respectively, a pair of oppositely disposedfirst and second end walls, 54 and 56, respectively, and a back wall 18defining a generally rectangular hollow recessed interior of top portion14. In an alternate embodiment, top portion 14 may be generally planar.In one embodiment, the heights of the first and second sidewalls 30 and32 of the bottom portion 16 are greater at the first end wall 34, andthe heights decrease along the first and second sidewalls 30 and 32toward the second end wall 36 (see FIG. 3). This sloped configurationprovides additional space for receiving and storing the bristle portion1 of the paint brush 2. Correspondingly, the heights of the first andsecond sidewalls 50 and 52 of the top portion 14 are lesser at the firstend wall 54, and the heights increase along the first and secondsidewalls 50 and 52 toward the second end wall 56 (see FIG. 3). Thesecond end wall 56 is configured with an aperture 58 to allow a handleportion 3 of the paint brush 2 to extend through and protrude from thehousing 12.

The top portion 14 and bottom portion 16 are connected by a hinge 20along at least a portion of one of the first and second sidewalls 30 and32 and at least a portion of one of the first and second sidewalls 50and 52 of the housing 12. Referring to FIG. 1, the hinge 20 connectsfirst sidewall 30 of bottom portion 16 to first sidewall 50 of the topportion 14. The hinge 20 may be any suitable hinge such as a livinghinge made of thin plastic, or a mechanical hinge, for example. In analternate embodiment, the hinge 20 may be a plurality of separatehinges. In further embodiment, the hinge 20 may be located on one of thefirst and second end walls, 34, 36, 54, and 56. The hinge 20 isconfigured to allow the top portion 14 and bottom portion 16 to beconnected along one side while rotating relative to one another. Therotation allows the housing 12 to operate between a closed position asshown in FIG. 2, and an open position as shown in FIG. 1, for insertionand removal of the paint brush 2.

The top portion 14 and the bottom portion 16 are connected by at leastone fastener device 25 arranged on one of the first and second sidewalls30, 32, 50, and 52 of the housing 12. In one embodiment the fastenerdevice 25 includes a latch member 24 disposed on the bottom portion 16,and configured to interlock with a fastener member 26 disposed on thetop portion 14. In one embodiment, there may be one or more fastenerdevices 25 located on the opposite sidewalls to the hinge 20. Thefastener device 25 connects second sidewall 32 of bottom portion 16 tosecond sidewall 52 of the top portion 14. The latch member 24 interlockswith the fastener member 26 to maintain housing 12 in a closed position(see FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the latch member 24 is a tab protrusionthat mates with a recess within the fastener member 26, where thefastener member 26 is rotatable at its connection to the housing 12 tointerlock with the tab by friction fit. The fastener device 25 may beany suitable fastener that detachably secures the top portion 14 to thebottom portion to close the housing. Fastening device 25 may be a bolt,screw, moveable latch, or Velcro®, for example. In an alternateembodiment, the housing does not include a hinge 20, and insteadincludes fastener devices 25 disposed on opposite sides of the housing12 for securing top portion 14 to bottom portion 16.

The perforations 22 may be included in the back wall 18 of top portion14, as well as on back wall 28 of the bottom portion 16, to allow airventilation for drying the bristle portion 1 of paint brush 2.Additionally, or alternatively, any portion of the housing 12 mayinclude perforations 22. Perforations 22 may be various shaped openings,e.g., pinholes, slots, louvered, etc., which air can pass through intohousing 12. In one embodiment, the perforations 22 are arranged to beevenly dispersed adjacent to the bristle portion 1 of the paint brush 2.In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the perforations 22 areconfigured to communicate air flow to the space 40 adjacent the bristleportion 1 of the paint brush 2.

When the paint brush 2 is inserted into paint brush storage device 10,the bristle portion 1 lies within the housing 12, against the back wall28. The bristle portion 1 and the ferrule portion 5 are positionedbetween the first pair of projections 46, and the transition portion 4is positioned between the second pair of projections 48. Top portion 14is then rotated about hinge 20 and latched to enclose the bristleportion 1 of the paint brush 2 within housing 12. Paint brush 2 shouldbe substantially cleaned to remove most or all of the wet paint frombristle portion 1. Liquid paint solvents, e.g., mineral spirits orwater, that are left entrained in the bristles of bristle portion 1 willevaporate while the paint brush 2 is stored until the next usage.Bristle portion 1 will be restrained from any contact with sidewalls 30,32 and first end wall 34 while in storage, preventing deformation ofbristles in bristle portion 1.

Referring next to FIG. 4, in an alternate embodiment, the housing 12includes at least one restraining bar 60 extending from an interiorsurface of the back wall 28 and configured for positioning andrestraining the paint brush 2. The at least one restraining bar 60 isarranged substantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls30 and 32. In one embodiment, the housing 12 includes oppositelydisposed restraining bars 60 extending from an interior surface of theback wall 18 of the top portion 14 and from an interior surface of theback wall 28 of the bottom portion 16, and configured for positioningand restraining the paint brush 2. The restraining bars 60 areconfigured for positioning and restraining the ferrule portion 5 of thepaint brush 2 to prevent lateral movement of the paint brush 2. Thepositioning of the handle portion 3 through the aperture 38 andpositioning the at least one restraining bar 60 against the paint brush,restrains the paint brush 2 and forms a space 40 between an exposedsurface of the bristle portion 1, the first sidewall 30, and the secondsidewall 32. The space 40 prevents substantial contact between thebristle portion 1 of the paint brush 2, the first sidewall 30, and thesecond sidewall 32, to protect and ventilate the bristle portion 1. Theat least one restraining bar 60 may be made of plastic, and/or mayinclude elastomeric material, such as rubber.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the invention notbe limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A paint brush storage device for a paint brushcomprising: a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, afastener device for detachably securing the top portion to the bottomportion; at least one of the top portion and the bottom portionincluding a plurality of perforations for ventilating the paint brush,the housing configured for positioning and restraining a bristle portionof the paint brush within the housing; the bottom portion including apair of oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, a pair ofoppositely disposed first and second end walls, and a back wall, and thesecond end wall configured with an aperture to allow a handle portion ofthe paint brush to extend from the housing; and the back wall includinga first pair of projections extending from an interior surface of theback wall and configured for positioning the paint brush, the first pairof projections arranged substantially parallel to and spaced apart fromthe first and second sidewalls; wherein the positioning of the paintbrush by the first pair of projections and the second pair ofprojections forms a space between an exposed surface of the bristleportion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall to protect andventilate the bristle portion.
 2. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a second pair of projections extending from an interiorsurface of the back wall and configured for positioning the paint brush,the second pair of projections disposed adjacent to the aperture in thesecond end wall, and wherein the positioning of the paint brush by thesecond pair of projections forms a space between an exposed surface ofthe bristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall toprotect and ventilate the bristle portion.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are connected by a hingealong at least a portion of one of the first and second sidewalls of thehousing.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the top portion and thebottom portion are connected by at least one fastener device arranged onone of the first and second sidewalls of the housing.
 5. The device ofclaim 4, wherein the fastener device includes a latch member disposed onthe bottom portion configured to interlock with a fastener memberdisposed on the top portion.
 6. The device of claim 1, further wherein aback wall of the top portion including a plurality of perforations forventilating the paint brush.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstpair of projections and the second pair of projections form a pair ofsubstantially continuous projections on opposite sides of the paintbrush.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first pair of projectionsare configured for positioning the ferrule portion of the paint brush.9. The device of claim 2, wherein the second pair of projections areconfigured for positioning the transition portion of the paint brush.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first pair of projections areconfigured for preventing lateral movement of the paint brush inside thehousing.
 11. The device of claim 2, wherein the second pair ofprojections are configured for restricting lateral movement of the paintbrush inside the housing.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the plurality of perforations are configured to communicateair flow to the space formed between the bristle portion of the paintbrush and the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 13. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising oppositely disposed restraining barsextending from an interior surface of a back wall of the top portion andfrom an interior surface of the back wall of the bottom portion, andconfigured for positioning and restraining the paint brush.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the restraining bars are arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the first and second sidewalls of thebottom portion.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the restraining barsare configured for positioning and restraining the ferrule portion ofthe paint brush.
 16. A paint brush storage device for a paint brushcomprising: a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, afastener device for detachably securing the top portion to the bottomportion; at least one of the top portion and the bottom portionincluding a plurality of perforations for ventilating the paint brush,the housing configured for positioning and restraining a bristle portionof a paint brush within the housing; the bottom portion including a pairof oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, a pair of oppositelydisposed first and second end walls, and a back wall, and the second endwall configured with an aperture to allow a handle portion of the paintbrush to extend from the housing; and the back wall including at leastone restraining bar extending from an interior surface of the back walland configured for positioning and restraining the paint brush, the atleast one restraining bar arranged substantially perpendicular to thefirst and second sidewalls; wherein the positioning of the handleportion through the aperture and positioning the at least onerestraining bar adjacent the paint brush prevents lateral movement ofthe paint brush and forms a space between an exposed surface of thebristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, to protectand ventilate the bristle portion.
 17. The device of claim 16, whereinthe at least one restraining bar includes elastomeric material.
 18. Thedevice of claim 16, further comprising at least one additionalrestraining bar oppositely disposed on a back wall of the top portion ofthe housing.
 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least onerestraining bar is configured for positioning and restraining theferrule portion of the paint brush.
 20. A paint brush storage device fora paint brush comprising: a housing including a top portion and a bottomportion configured for connection by a hinge and at least one fastenerdevice, the top portion and the bottom portion including a plurality ofperforations for ventilating the paint brush, the housing configured forpositioning and restraining a bristle portion of a paint brush withinthe housing; the bottom portion including a pair of oppositely disposedfirst and second sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed first andsecond end walls, and a back wall, and the second end wall configuredwith an aperture to allow a handle portion of the paint brush to extendfrom the housing; and the back wall including a first pair ofprojections and a second pair of projections extending from an interiorsurface of the back wall and configured for positioning the paint brush,the first pair of projections arranged substantially parallel to andspaced apart from the first and second sidewalls, and the second pair ofprojections disposed adjacent to the aperture in the second end wall;wherein the positioning of the paint brush by the first pair ofprojections and the second pair of projections prevents lateral movementof the paint brush and forms a space between an exposed surface of thebristle portion, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall, to protectand ventilate the bristle portion.